Acting commerce secretary leaving administration

Cleopatra Pendleton cries as she talks with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy before a news conference seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
This undated family photo provided by Damon Stewart shows 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton of Chicago. Pendleton was shot and killed Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. Pendleton, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, is the latest face on the ever-increasing homicide toll in the president's hometown. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Damon Stewart)
Cleopatra Pendleton, center with red scarf, is escorted under the shelter where Pendleton's daughter Hadiya was shot and killed, during a news conference seeking the public's assistance in finding the gunman Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Cleopatra Pendleton, left, is consoled by her sister Kimiko Pettis, during a news conference with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Nathaniel Pendleton, center, hugs his son Nathaniel Jr. and his wife Cleopatra during a news conference with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
A news conference seeking the public's assistance in finding the gunman who killed Hadiya Pendleton is staged just a few feet away from the shelter where Pendleton was shot and killed, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, right, offers the city's condolences to the Pendleton family, from left, Nathaniel Jr., Nathaniel Sr., and Cleopatra during a news conference seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Father Michael Pfleger , left, consoles Cleopatra Pendleton during a news conference with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2010 file photo, Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker speaks to reporters in Washington. Pritzker, a leading candidate to be the next U.S. Commerce Secretary, resigned Thursday, March 14, 2013, from the Chicago Board of Education. She is a longtime ally of President Barack Obama and was a top fundraiser during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama stands with Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Pritzker, considered a top candidate to be the next U.S. Commerce Secretary, resigned Thursday, March 14, 2013, from the Chicago Board of Education. Pritzker is a longtime Obama ally and top fundraiser who was Obama's campaign finance chairwoman in 2008.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Cleopatra Pendleton cries as she talks with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy before a news conference seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
This undated family photo provided by Damon Stewart shows 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton of Chicago. Pendleton was shot and killed Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. Pendleton, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, is the latest face on the ever-increasing homicide toll in the president's hometown. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Damon Stewart)
Cleopatra Pendleton, center with red scarf, is escorted under the shelter where Pendleton's daughter Hadiya was shot and killed, during a news conference seeking the public's assistance in finding the gunman Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Cleopatra Pendleton, left, is consoled by her sister Kimiko Pettis, during a news conference with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Nathaniel Pendleton, center, hugs his son Nathaniel Jr. and his wife Cleopatra during a news conference with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
A news conference seeking the public's assistance in finding the gunman who killed Hadiya Pendleton is staged just a few feet away from the shelter where Pendleton was shot and killed, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, right, offers the city's condolences to the Pendleton family, from left, Nathaniel Jr., Nathaniel Sr., and Cleopatra during a news conference seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Father Michael Pfleger , left, consoles Cleopatra Pendleton during a news conference with Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy seeking help from the public in solving the murder of Pendleton's daughter Hadiya Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Chicago. Hadiya, 15, who had performed in President Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, was killed in a Chicago park as she talked with friends by a gunman who apparently was not even aiming at her. The city's 42nd slaying is part of Chicago's bloodiest January in more than a decade, following on the heels of 2012, which ended with more than 500 homicides for the first time since 2008. It also comes at a time when Obama, spurred by the Connecticut elementary school massacre in December, is actively pushing for tougher gun laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2010 file photo, Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker speaks to reporters in Washington. Pritzker, a leading candidate to be the next U.S. Commerce Secretary, resigned Thursday, March 14, 2013, from the Chicago Board of Education. She is a longtime ally of President Barack Obama and was a top fundraiser during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama stands with Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Pritzker, considered a top candidate to be the next U.S. Commerce Secretary, resigned Thursday, March 14, 2013, from the Chicago Board of Education. Pritzker is a longtime Obama ally and top fundraiser who was Obama's campaign finance chairwoman in 2008.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Print Page Updated: 07:00:20 PM, Mon 18 March 2013

WASHINGTON () — Acting Commerce Secretary is leaving the Obama administration to serve as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

President Barack Obama announced Blank's departure in a statement Monday. He says Blank has distinguished herself as a "steady leader and a vital member of my economic team."

Blank joined the Commerce Department in 2009 as an economic adviser and was later promoted to deputy secretary. She was named acting secretary last year after John Bryson suffered a seizure and resigned.

The president has not named a nominee to run the department permanently. Top Obama fundraiser Penny Pritzker is considered a leading candidate for the post.